Bearing



A. KINGSBURY.

y BEARING. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25,1916.

' 4 SHEEN-SHEET I.

Patented May 17, 1921.

A. K,|NGSBURY.I

BEARING.

AFPLVA TION FILED MAR. 25,196- 1,378,544. Patented May 17, 1921,

A. KINGSBURY.

BEARING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25. l9l6.

Patented May 17, 1921,

4 SHEEN-SHEET 3.

nvenfo'o A. KINGSBURY.

BEARING.

APPLICAUON FILED MAR. 25. 1915.

Patented May 17,1921.

4 SHEEIS-SHEET 4.

"moo

BEARING.

Specification of Letters Patent.-

Potented May 1'17, 1923 a lication filed march 25, 1916. semi 1%. acres.

T 0 (1 whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, fiLBERT Knvesnunr, a citizen of the United States,and a resi: dent of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBearings, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming; a part thereof.

My invention relates to bearings and, more particularly, to bearingswhich include bearing portions, segments or shoes, that are mounted torespond to the wedging action of the lubricating fluid, and it hasspecial reference to the members on which said bearing portions,segments or shoes are mounted.

One object of my invention is to provide a bearing of the aforesaidcharacter that is equipped with simple pressuredistributing orequalizing means comprising a small number of parts which areinexpensive to manufacture and which are adapted to cooperate ineffectually distributing the load upon the several shoes, segments orhearing portions. Another object of my invention is to provide abearing, comprising a circumferential series of bearing portions orsegments, with a plurality of separately-acting pressuredistributingmembers which are interrelated with the bearing portions or segments topredeterminately distribute the pressure thereon.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hearin comprising aplurality of hearing segments, wherein the segments are divided intogroups and the pressures on the segments of each .group areinterbalenced.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hearing, comprising aplurality of groups of bearing segments, with means for clistributingthe pressure :nnong, the segments of each group and means fordistributing the pressure anion; the groups of segments.

. A still further object of the invention is.

to provide an improved pressure-(iistributing or equalizing block .ormember comvrising a lever on which the liearingz'. segrments are mountedto tilt both radially and tangentially.

Another object of the invention to provide a bearing: comprising aplurality of bearing segments arranged in a plurality of groups, withall of the segments of each group mounted on a singlepressure-distributing or equalizing member which is sup ported on a.point or line that intersects the resultant of the forces acting on thesegments of said group.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hearing, as justcharacterized, with a single pressure distributing member on, which saidgroup-pressuredistributing memhers-are mounted and whereby the load onthe bearing is equitably distributed among the several groups ofsegments.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be set forthhereinafter, and in order that my invention may be thoroughly understoodI will now proceed to describe the same int-he following specificationand then point out the novel features thereof in appended claims. 7

The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanicalexpressions, several of which areshown on the accompanying drawings, butit is to be expressly understood that the drawings re purposes ofillustration only and are not to be construed as a definition of thelimits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims forthat purpose.

Referring: to the drawings:

Figure l is a sectional elevation, taken on the line 1--l of Fig. 2, ofa thrust hearing which constitutes an embodiment of my iiivention. I

Fig. 2 is a partially sectional plan view,

taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation showing in detail one of thepressuredistributing members upon which two shoes are tiltably mounted.

Another embodiment of my invention is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, of whichFig. 4 is a sectional elevation on the line 4.-% of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a partially sectional plan view on the line'5-5 of Fig. 4;.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation on the line 6-6 of Fig. F. with theshaft removed.

f till another embodiment of my invention is shown in-Figs. 7 and Swhichshow three shoes pivoted 1n the some circumference on a singlepressure-distributing member.

9' and 10 showfstill another embodiment of my inventio'n in which thebearing shoes are arranged in concentric annular;

groups.

In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 10

the thrust collar 13 cooperates with a bearing member comprising aplurality of bearing portions or segments, here shown as shoes 17, whichbearing member is support ed on said frame or foundation 16.

Secured to the frame or foundation 16 1s a base ring 18 having aspherically curved supporting surface 19., An equalizlng ring 20 ismounted on the base 18 and is provided with a surface 21 which is curvedto cooperate with the surface 19, the two parts being held againstrelative rotation in any suitable way, as by a dowel pin 35 in one ofthe parts extending loosely into a recess 36 in the other of the parts.Both of the members 18 and 20 loosely surround the shaft 10 and the base18 supports a sleeve 22 which is close to the shaft and extends upwardlyabove the cooperating bearing surfaces. An outer wall or flange 23 issecured to the frame 16 and provides, in conjunction with the sleeve 22,an annular chamber 24 in which lubricating fluid is contained; The

equalizing ring 20 has an annular recess or groove 25 which is partiallyformed by, an attached ring'26 and in which the pressure distrilmting orequalizing bloclis 27 are mounted; Above said blocks the recess isenlarged by an annular projection or flange 28 to receive shoes 1'(.

In the form shown i'n Fig. 3, each of the blocks 27 is provided with atransverse rib 19 upon which it is supported on the bottom of theannular groove 25. and a pair of upwardly extending projections orbuttons .30 locatell at its respective ends and preferably havingspherically curved top surfaces as indicated at 31.

The shoes are preferably faced with soft metal as indicated at 32 andhave recesses 33 adapted to loosely receive the projections 30 on saidblocks, two shoes, in the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, being mountedoneachblock, Obviously, the projections could be provided on the shoes andextend downwardly into cooperative relation to the stocks 27 withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

The equalizing ring has a plurality of the bearing members or lugs orprojections 34 within the flange 28,

which extend radially inward between the shoes 17-and serve to preventrotation of the 2 shoes with the thrust collar 13. The shoes fit looselyinto the mouth of the annular groove 25 between the ring 26 and theflange 28, so that each of them is free to tilt both in the reservoir 24passes inwardly through passages 37 in the equalizing'ring 20 and entersthe annular recess 25. From the spaces between the shoes, which are thusfilled, the hibricating fluid is forced between the bearing surfaces andis. discharged centrifugally through holes 38 in a perforated battlering 39. The ring 39 may be conveniently mounted on the flange28, asshown in Fig. 1.

Each group of segments or shoes 17, 17 and the pressure-distributing orequalizing lever member 27 on which they are mounted constitute what maybe termed an individual balanced unit or system, in which the load orbearing pressure on each segment is entirely supported on the singlepivot connection 30-31 between the segment and the lever member, and theresultant of the pressures on the several segments of the unit iscarried on the single pivotal connection 29 between the lever member andthe ring 20. Under the conditions of equilibrium which are automaticallyestablished in the system, the resultant of the pressures (which areconcentrated on the pivot supports 3031) will pass through the point orline of support of the unit or system as a whole; 2'. a, through theaxis of the rib or rocker 29. The equalizing ring 20-which is free torock in any direction onits spherical seat-will then adjust itself so asto equalize the resultants of the pressures on each unit or system: or,otherwise stated, to generally equalize the pressures on each axial orpivotal connection between the lever members 27 and the ring member 20.In this way the resultants of the pressures on the unit systcmsmay beequalized, while the pressures on the several bearin' segments comprisedin each sy s tem may be distributed as desired, since, while themoportions or i crnm to the points at which the pressures on the bearingportions act on the members 27 In the form shown inFigs. 4,5 and 6, towhich special reference may now be had,

the structure differs from that already .de- .scribed inthat thepressure-distributing or equalizing blocks 2? on which the bearing esseesegments or shoes 17 are mounted, instead L g supported on an equalizinring M18 character above describe are mounted in pairs on another formof tiltable pressure-distributing member 40.

in. this embodiment of the invention where four shoes are shown, themember 20 is ring-shaped in order to avoid interference with the shaftand is provided with ribs 4:]. which are in alineinent with each otheron opposite sides of the shaft and constitute knife eds-e or rockingsupport'for said member. 'i he member is free to tilt on the frame onwhich it is mounted and the biocizs 2"? are mounted on the member .0 soas to tilt about axes at right angles to the axis of movement of themember 40. It is thus evident that the members 27 and i0 cooperate so asto distribute the pressure the several bearing portions or segments ofeach unit and among the several units, in accordance with the principleabove The annular pressnre-d-istribut- .cificnily claimed herein, as thesome is the subject of claims in my application fzerial No. 188,726,filed Aug. 29, 1917.

It is obvious that if a greater number of segments are desired, eight,sixteen, or some other multiple of two may be utilized by providing apressure-distributing block :for each pair of segments, and a tributingmember for each pair of blocks,

the number of intermediate members being such to finally provide asingle pair which may be mounted on a ring-shaped member correspondingto the member so.

The shoes are shown as held in place against turning on theirpivots orrotating with the thrust collar by any suitable means, pre ferabiycomprising a ring-shaped stationary member d2 suitably shaped andprovided with lugs -13 as indicated in the drawings. Said member 4:2 isperforated as shown at e to permit free circulation of the lubricatingfluid.

The equalizing ring 40 may be held loosely in position by an annular ribon the base 16 and prevented from shifting circumferentially by lugs 66which extend on opposite sides of the pivot ribs 41 as shown in Figs. 4and 5.

The shoes which are held in place as above indicated serve to hold theblocks 27 in place by reasonv of their interengagement with the pivotprojections 30.

in the case of this last described construction each pair of segments orshoes 1717 and the lever member 27 on which they are pivotally mountedconstitute the balanced unit that corresponds to the similarlydesignated units of the first described construction; and the pivotedring member 40 corresponds inaction to the equalizing ring 20.

tiltable about an axis, however,

ressure-dis- The levers 2? distribute the pressures on the individualsegments of each roup as heretofore explained; and the pivoted ring 40suitably distributes the load on the respective groups.

Instead of supporting two adjacent bearing segments or shoes on onepressurewhs tributing block as shown in Fig. 3, for example, thepressure-distributing block may be constructed as shown in Figs. 7 and 8to support three or more adjacent bearing segments or shoes. 0

The base 75 in the form here illustrated has a flange 76 with in s 77 tohold bearing shoes 78 in position. Vithin the flange 76 arepressure-distributing members 79 which, in the form shown, have threeoutwardly extending projections 80 upon which. the shoes 78 are tiltablymounted. The shoe pivots are disposed in the cirournference of a circleand consequently are located at the corners of a triangle. Each of themembers 79 is further provided with downwardly extending projection 81which is positioned within the triangle in line with the resultant ofthe forces acting at the three vertices thereof and constitutes apivotal mounting for said member. Obviously, the projections 80 andBlcould be positioned on the shoes and base respectively without departingfrom the spirit of this invention. The structure of the bearings shownin Figs. 7 and 8 otherwise correspond, in general, to those previouslydescribed, and correspond ing parts are designated by the same referencecharacters.

The pressure-distributing or e ualizing block 79 performs substantiallyt e same function as the pressure-distributing block 27 of the previousfigures, except that it distributes the load among three segments orshoes at once instead of two. Here also, the

moments of the pressures on the bearing portions orshoes about eachfulcrum 81 must be balanced, but the'pressures on the several bearingportions or shoes depend upon the respective lever arms from saidfulcrum to the points at which said pressures act on each member 79,which may be selected to secure the desired distribution of sustainingpressures.

In addition to distributing the pressure between circumfercntiallyspaced shoes said member may distribute the thrust pressure between theshoes of different concentric annular groups as shown at 54 inFigs. 9and 10. In the form here shown, each pressure-distributing member orblock 54: is provided with three upwardly extended projections forengagement in recesses in the segments or shoes 56. Each blockfurthermore rests on an upwardly extending projection 53 positioned inline with the resultant-of the forces acting on said projections 55. Bysuitably selecting the distances between the respective projections 55and the point of engagement of the projection 53 with each block 54, thepressures on the several segments of each group may be equalized orsuitably distributed, either radially or circumferentially, or both, tosecure differential sustaining pressures. In the form here shown, saidprojections 53 are bolts 52 threaded into openings 51 in the base-ring50 said bolts preferably having spherically-shaped heads as shown. Theresultant of the pressures on the several groups of units may beequalized or adjusted by suitably adjust ng the bolts 52. It will beapparent that the type of pressure-distributmg member here shown is alsoavailable for equalizing, or otherwise distributing, the pressure onmore than three seg ments arranged in one or more circumferen tialgroups.

This arrangement is particularly desirable when the bearing is calledupon to susa tain a very heavy thrust pressure, and therefore has athrust collar which is relatively wide, because when a collar or disksuch as the-collar 57 in Figs-9 and 10 is in operation, it has atendency to heat and to assume a frusto-conical shape of low altitude,instead of maintaining its original shape in which the bearing surfacesare in a single plane. The pressure-distributing members 54; function toequalize or suitably distribute the pressure between the inner and outershoes of each group as well as between the circumferentially-spacedshoes of each group and so not only maintain the desired pressure inspite of the fact that the thrust collar may be slightly dished ordistorted in operation,-but also tend to avoid the unequal wearing ofthe collar.

The shoes are held against turning improperly and against displacementby a flange 58 having lugs 59 extending between the shoes 56 of theouter series and webs 60 from which lugs 61 extend between the shoes ofthe inner series.

It will be noted that in all of the illustrative embodiments of myinvention hereinbefore described, one of the relatively rotatablebearing members comprisesa circumferential series of bearingvportions'or segments, which are. assembled in groups, or

units, each of .which consists of two or more adjacent segmentstilitztbly mounted at the ends or vertices of separately-actingpresqsure-distributing or equalizing blocks that are themselves tiltablysupported at'what may be termed the centers of pressure of the groups ofsegments. This arrangement secures an automatic equalization orpredeter- ,mined distribution of the bearing pressure on all'of thesegments of one group even when the sald'segments may vary considerablyin thicknesseither because of varia-,-, tions in machining or because ofinequalities in subsequent wear or from unequal heating during running,'etc.,or in surface form or area. This is a very. great advantage,particularly in the case of very large bearings, not only because itreduces the cost of construction and largely eliminates the careordinarily required in assembling and adjusting the bearing parts, butalso because it facilitates the use of a larger number of smallerbearing segments or shoes-as the individual interbalanced elements of aunitary group-and thus improves the action of the bearing both inmaintaining the desiredoil films between the bearing surfaces and inavoidin the detrimental effects due to the crowning of those surfacesunder unequal 7 heating. The pressure on the several segments or shoesof any onegroup having thus been automatically distributed in.accordancewith the desired reactive or sustaining pressures which it is desired tomaintain on each segment or shoe-as just explained the dis tribution ofthe load on the different groups or units may, in turn, be effectedeither by placing the pivotal supports of the pressuredistributingmembers of each group on a tiltable riIntWo forms of which are shownrespectively in Figs. 1 and 4 (or 6)-or by making those supportsmanually adjustable in the manner illustrated, for example, in Fig. 9.And here again the advantage of assembling the bearing segments or shoesin separate groups or units is rendered apparent by the immediatereduction in the number of the adjustable points of support.

on the base ring (whether that ring be fixed or tiltable) and theconsequent wider separation of those points on the said ring I It willtherefore be perceived that I have v mvented a simple andeffective'system of fpressure-d1stributing members whereby the pressureon the several bearing'portions or segments may be equalized orotherwise di trlbuted inaccordance with the character of the oil filmswhich it is desired to maintain.

The term equalizing member, or similar.

expressions, as herein used, is therefore sufliciently broad to embracemeans for effecting pressure distribution through equalization, ofmoments of reactive or sustaining pres" sures of different specificmagnitude.

While the embodiments of the invention The are

illustrated 'on the drawings have been, de-' scribed'with considerableparticularity, it is its being independently and tiltably mounted to beexpressly understood that the inve'ntion is not to be limited"thcreto,as the same is capable of receiving a variety of mecianical expressions,some of which will readily sug est themselves to those skilled in theart, while certain features thereof are capable of use without otherfeatures thereof. While the pressure-distributing members have beenshownas employed in supporting the hearing portions or segments oftherelatively stationary bearing member, itmwill be ap parent that saidmembers could also be employed in mounting bearing segments or portionscomprised in the structure of the relatively rotatable bearing member.Relerence is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a definitionof the limits of the invention.

What I claim is: I

1. A thrust bearing comprising a plurality of tiltable bearing shoes ormembers, equalizing blocks each adapted to support a group of adjacentshoes, and means for distributing the load between the severalequalizcrs.

2. A thrust bearing comprising a plurality of tiltable bearing shoes ormembers, a plurality-of equalizing blocks each adapt ed to support agroup of adjacent shoes, and an equalizing; member for tiltablysupporting the equalizing blocks.

3. A thrust bearing comprising a plurality of tiltable bearing shoes ormembers, a plurality of equalizing blocks each adapted to support agroup of adjacent shoes, and an equalizing member for tiltablysupporting the equalizing blocks and tiltably mounted on a base.

i. A thrust bearing comprising a plurality of tiltable bearing shoesarranged in groups, a plurality of equalizing blocks'each adapted tosupport a plurality of ad acent shoes, and a pivotal support for eachequalizing block. I

5. A. thrust bearing comprising a pinrality of equalizers. tiitablymounted on a single tiltable equalizing base, each equalizer supportinga plurality of tiltably mounted shoes.

- 6. A thrust bearing comprising a plurality of bearing shoes assembledin groups, and a pluradty of equalizing members each adapted to supportall of the shoes of one group. v

7. A thrust bearing comprising a plurality or" annularly arranged groupsof hearing shoes, and a plurality of tiltable equalizing blocks, all ofthe shoes of each group on a single equalizing block.

8. A thrust bearing comprising a plurality oftiltable bearing shoesassembledin annularly disposed groups, and a plural1ty of equalizingblocks each adapted to tiltably support all of the shoes of one group.

' equalizing members.

l 9. 111 a thrust bearing, the combination of "a plurality of bearingshoes arranged in groups or units, a plurality of equalizing memberseach arranged to tiltably support all of the shoes of one group or unit,and self-adjusting means for equitably distribut ing the load on theequalizers and through them on the various groups of shoes.

10. A: thrust bearing comprising a tiltablc support, a pluralit ofequalizer members tiltably mounted t'ereon, and a plurality 'of bearingshoes assembled in separate groups, allof the shoes of each group beingtiltahly supported by a single equalizer member.

11. A thrust bearing comprising a plurality of groups of bearing shoes,an equalizer member for each group adapted to uniformly distribute thebearing pressure on the individual shoes thereof, and self-adjustingmeans adaptedfto equalize the load on the difierent equalizing members.

.12. In a thrust bearing, the combination of a plurality or bearingshoes arranged in I groups or units, equalizing members each 90 arrangedto tiltably support all the shoes of one group or unit, andasingletiltable meinher for equally distributing the load on the 13. in athrust bearing, the combination of relatively rotatable bearing members,one of said members having a thrust surface and the other oi saidmembers comprising a universally pivoted carrier, a plurality of groupsof bearing shoes, and interposed equalizers each supporting the shoes ofone group and equalizing the pressure thereon.

i i. In a thrust bearing, the combination of relatively rotatablebearing members, one of said members having a thrust surface and theother of said members comprising a base, a carrier mounted thereon andforming a ball'and socket-joint therewith, a plurality of groups ofbearing shoes, andcqualizing blocks interposed betweenthe carrier andthe shoes and each supporting the shoes of one group and equalizing thepressure thereon.

15. In a thrust bearing, the combination of relatively rotatable bearingmembers, one of said members having a thrust surface, and the other ofsaid members comprising a. base, a carrier mounted thereon and forming aball and socket joint therewith, a plurality of groups 01 hearing shoes,and a 12s plurality of equalizing members tiltably mounted on saidcarrier and each tiltably mounting all of the shoes of one group.

16. In a thrust bearing the combination of Y relatively rotatablebearing members, one of said members havingca thrust surface, and theother of said members comprising a universally pivoted carrier having anannular groove, a series of tangentially tiltable blocks supported insaid groove, ZtHClai};

plurality of groups of bearing shoes tiltablymounted on said blocks. 1

17. In a thrust bearing, the combinatior of relatively rotatable bearingmember? one of said members having a thrust surface, "andthe other ofsaid members comprisinga universally pivoted carrier having an annulargroove, a series of tangentially tiltable blocks supported in saidgroove, and a plurality of pairs of ,bearing shoes tiltably mounted onsaid blocks.

18. In a thrust bearing, the combination of relatively rotatable bearingmembers, one of said members having-a thrust surface, and the other ofsaid members comprising a universally pivoted carrier having an annulargroove, :1 series of tangentially tiltable blocks supported in saidgroove, and a plurality of groups of bearing shoes mounted on saidblocks and adapted to tilt both radially and tangentiallyrelative-thereto. 19. In a thrust bearing, the combination of relativelyrotatable bearing members, one of said members having a thrust surface,and the other of said members comprising a universally pivoted carrierhaving an annular groove, a series of tangentially tiltable blockssupported in said groove, and a plurality of'groups of bearing shoestiltably mounted on said blocks, said carrier being formed to looselyhold the shoes in position.

20. A bearing comprising relatively rotatable bearing members one ofwhich includes a circumferential series of bearing portions, and aplurality of separately-acting pressuredistributing members mountingsaid bearing portions to respond to the- Wedging action of thelubricating fluid, said bearing portions and pressure-distributingmembers being interrelated to predeterminatel y distribute the pressureon said bearing portions.

21. A bearing comprisingrelatively rotatable bearing members one ofwhich includes a circumferential series of bearing segments,

and a plurality of separately-acting pres-- sure-distributing memberstiltablymounting said segments, said segments and pressuredistributingmembersbeing interrelated to predeterminately distribute the pressure onsaid segments.

22. A hearing comprising relatively rotatable bearing members one ofwhich includes,

a circumferential series of bearing portions adapted to respond to theWedging action of the lubricating fluid, and a plurality of separatelyacting pressure distributing means coacting with said bearing portionsand interrelated therewith to predeter-v minatcly distribute the bearingpressure thereon.

23. A bearing comprising a plurality of tiltable bearing segments, aplurality of equalizing members each adapted to support a'group ofadjacent segments, and equaliz- 'ng means for supporting the equadizingmembers.

24. A bearing comprising a circumferential series of grouped bearingsegments, and a plurality of press-uire-distributing members eachmounting all of the bearing seg ments of one group.

25. A bearing comprising a plurality of bearing Segments, a plurality ofpressuredistributing members each forming the sole mounting for a groupof segments, and pres sure-distributing means for mounting said members.

26. A bearing comprising a plurality of grouped bearing segments, aplurality of pressure-distributing members each tiltably mounting all ofthe segments of one group, and means for distributing, the pressureamong said groupso't segments.

27. A bearingcomprising a plurality of grouped bearing segn'ients, apluralit of pressure-distributing members each predeterminatelydistributing the pressure among the segments of each group, andpressuredistributing means for distributing the load on said members.

28.1%. bearing comprising a plurality of grouped bearing segments, aplurality of pressuredistributing members each mounting all of thesegments oi one group, and a single pressure-distributing member formounting said members.

29. A. bearing comprising a plurality of .1n'essure-distributing memberseach tiltably mounting all the segments of one group, and a single'n'essure-distributing member tiltably mounting said: members.

30. A bearing comprising a plurality of grouped bearing segments, anequalizing member for each group of segments, and 1eoqualizing means forsaid equalizing memers.

31. A bearing comprising a plurality of grouped bearing segments, meansfor predeterminately distributing the pressure among the segments ofeach group, and meansfor predeterminately distributing the pressureamong the groups of segments.

32. A bearing comprising a plurality of grouped Ibearing segments,members for equitably distributing the pressure among the segmentsofeach group, and a member for equitably distributing the pressure amongsaid members.

83. A hearing comprising a plurality of bearing segments and anequalizing lever on whieh all of said segments are mounted ofpressure-distributing members on each.

gentially.

on each of which all of the segments of one group are mounted to tiltboth radially and tangentially.

35. A hearing comprising a plurality of grouped hearing segments, aplurality of equa izing levers on each of which all'of the segments ofone group are tiltably mounted, and an equalizing member on which saidequalizing levers are tiltably mounted.

36. A bearing comprising a plurality of grouped bearing segments, and aplurality of which all of the segments of one" gropp are mounted to tiltboth radially and tan- 37. A hearing comprising a plurality of groupedbearing segments, a plurality of pressure-distributing members von eachof which all of the segments of one group are mounted, and apressure-distributing member-for equitably distributing the pressureamong said last-named members.

38. A bearing comprising a plurality of bearing segments,-and aplurality of pressure-distributing members predeterminately'distributing the pressure among said bearing so cute in groups.

39 bearing comprisin 'a plurality of bearing segments, a plura ity ofpressuredistributing members predeterminately distributingthe pressureamongsaid bearing segments in groups, and meanefor distributing thepressure among the sereral groups of bearing segments. Q I

4,0 A bearing comprising a plurality of bearing segments dir ded intogroups, and

a meinber balancing thepressures on the segments of each group. 41. Abearing comprising a plurality of bearing segments divided into groups,a member for each group of segments operating to balancethe pressures onthe segments thereof, and means balancing the pressures on the severalgroups of segments.

42. A hearing comprising a' pressure-distributing member tiltablymounted an a single axis, and bearing segments entirely supported onsaid member on opposite sides of said axis and adapted to tilt bothradially and tangentially with respect thereto.

43. A bearing comprising relatively rotatable bearing members one ofwhich includes a plurality of bearing segments, and a plurality of meansfor interbalancing the bearing pressure on said segments in groups.

44. A hearing comprising relatively rotatable bearing members one ofwhich includes a plurality of'bearing'segments, a

- plurality of means for intenbalancing the

